A Course for Adventure in the South Seas
06-15-2009
Orion Expedition Cruises Releases its 2010 Calendar of Sailings with Early Booking Rewards
Itineraries Include Luxury Vessel’s First-Ever Docking at Melbourne; Unforgettable Expeditions Range from Seldom-Visited Tropical Islands to Antarctica
SYDNEY – June 15, 2009 – It begins in February 2010 with a New Zealand adventure that travels from the Victorian city of Invercargill to Auckland Island with its sea lion and penguin colonies. And it ends in February 2011 with a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to Scott and Shackelton’s Antarctica. Orion Expedition Cruises has released its 2010 Calendar of Sailings, revealing a year of extraordinary travel experiences through the waters of the South Pacific, transporting its guests to destinations only a fortunate few ever see – all in five-star luxury aboard the purpose-built, 53-cabin MV Orion. The 2010 calendar marks several firsts for Orion, including its maiden landing at Melbourne and first-ever journeys to South Australia and Tasmania. As an added incentive, guests who book early will be rewarded with savings of up to 15 percent off the full fare*.
Led by seasoned expedition teams, each Orion adventure features land excursions by day, with inflatable Zodiac boats taking guests to otherwise inaccessible shores. Evening offers gourmet dining and champagne under the stars aboard Orion, as well as educational presentations in the ship’s state-of-the-art lecture theater. On the 2010 calendar are the following memorable itineraries:
February 3: New Zealand Highlights (10 nights). From Invercargill, with its stately Victorian and Edwardian architecture, guests are transported by coach to the fishing port of Bluff on the southern tip of New Zealand. Thus begins an unforgettable voyage through the abundant natural wonders of the north and south islands, with stops in Milford Sound, Dusky Sound, Dunedin, Akaroa, Kaikoura, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Napier and White Island. The journey ends in Auckland. Prices begin at $6,490** for a stateroom.
March 1: ISLANDS Magazine Melanesian Discovery (16 nights). From Auckland, Orion sets sail on a northern course for Rabaul in Papua New Guinea, with stops at intriguing, rarely visited islands in Vanuatu and the Solomons along the way. Among these are the idyllic Isle of Pines with its eight Kunie tribes; Tanna Island where guests can hike an active volcano; Espiritu Santo, where James Michener penned “Tales of the South Pacific”; Utupua Island for exceptional snorkeling; and Santa Ana island, whose inhabitants are known for their fine woodwork. Prices begin at $9,430.**
March 27 and October 11: New Guinea Island Adventure (11 nights). Spectacular diving, pristine beaches, and ancient tropical fjords are the focus of this voyage. Leaving from Cairns, Orion ventures to Rabaul, stopping along the way at unforgettable destinations such as Deboyne Lagoon with its shipwrecked WWII-era Japanese Zeros; Egum Atoll, rich in marine wildlife and vast species of birds; and the remote Lamassa and Duke of York Islands, known for their natural beauty and friendly locals. Prices start at $7,135.**
April 17 and October 22: Papua New Guinea Cultural Highlights (11 nights). An introduction to the mysterious art and tribal cultures of the Sepik River and Tufi region, the voyage also includes the four idyllic atolls of the Tami Islands, the hot springs of Fergusson Island, and the lively harbor of Milne Bay, among other memorable adventures. Prices start at $7,135.**
April 28: Tropical Reefs & Culture/Northern Queensland (6 nights). This jaunt through Northern Queensland leaves from Cairns and takes guests to Lizard Island with its coral gardens and giant clams just offshore, Stanley Island, home to fascinating indigenous rock art, Orion Reef (a white-sand spit ideal for snorkeling), and more, before ending at Thursday Island. Prices start at $3,540.**
May 4: Art of Arnhem Land (7 nights). Departing from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, this voyage is hosted by Australia’s pre-eminent collectors of indigenous art, who introduce guests to the remote art communities of the Arnhem Land coast. Prices start at $4,120.**
May – September: Kimberley Expedition (10 nights). The rugged coastline of Australia’s northwest abounds in dramatic scenery and fascinating cultural experiences. Highlights include the historic coastal town of Broome, known for its pearl diving and palm-fringed Cable Beach; the wild and remote Kimberley coast, home to spectacular gorges, inlets and waterfalls; and the cosmopolitan northern capital of Darwin. An August 27 sailing includes a special performance of the world-class OPERA UNDER THE STARS® at the Cable Beach Amphitheatre. Prices begin at $7,395.**
May 31: Kimberly – Art of Exploration (10 nights). From Darwin to Broome, this voyage takes guests on an art- and nature-themed adventure through northwestern Australia. Stops include the northernmost town of Wyndham – the gateway to the art centers of Warmun and Kununurra; fascinating Aboriginal rock art at
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